These dastardly characters may excel in chaos creation and mayhem management, but deep down, we can't help but wonder if they would have been better off with a little midlife villainous career change.
After all, being a malevolent overlord or a sinister mastermind isn't all it's cracked up to be. Perhaps a touch of introspection and a pinch of career counseling could have saved these villains from a life of eternal doom and gloom. Let's dive into this investigation of video game villains who should have hit the pause button on their wicked ways and hit the 'restart' button on their careers.
7 Bowser - Super Mario
The classic villain of the Super Mario series: Bowser has, time and time again, demonstrated his single-minded obsession with kidnapping Princess Peach. But let's be honest, his approach hasn't exactly been successful, has it?
Instead of wasting so much time plotting abductions and constructing elaborate fortresses, he could focus on being a dad and create heartwarming family moments with Bowser Jr. Bowser could coach his son in sports, attend school plays, and bond over a shared love for go-karting.
As for his dating life, it's high time Bowser downloaded a dating app like Tinder. Imagine the possibilities! He could meet someone who appreciates his tough exterior but also recognizes the softer, more loving side of him. No more kidnapping Princesses — just romantic candlelit dinners and strolls through the kingdom.
6 Dr. Eggman - Sonic
Dr. Eggman from the Sonic series is a genius with a penchant for turning cute critters into mechanical menaces and beautiful landscapes into industrial wastelands. But imagine if he had put his skills to more constructive use. Instead of playing a villainous architect, he could have been engineering the future with revolutionary technological advancements.
Imagine him in his lab coat, working tirelessly on gadgets that could make the world a better place. He could have been developing state-of-the-art prosthetics for those in need or devices harnessing clean energy, proving that even egg-shaped villains can have a green thumb.
But no, he'd rather be obsessing over that speedy blue hedgehog, constructing death traps like he's auditioning for a supervillain reality show. Oh, Eggman, you have the brain of a brilliant inventor, but the heart of a reality TV drama queen.
5 Albert Wesker - Resident Evil
With brainpower that could give Einstein a run for his money, Albert Wesker from Resident Evil could have been the ultimate biotechnologist or medical researcher. Instead of cooking up deadly viruses like he's trying to win a culinary competition, he could have been curing ailments left and right. We'd be singing his praises, naming hospitals after him, and probably even throwing him a parade or two!
But alas, he chose the path of being a villainous mastermind instead. I guess he thought spreading viral outbreaks was a better way to leave a mark on history. Well, you certainly did that, Wesker, but maybe not in the way you had hoped.
4 The Joker - Batman: Arkham Knight
Imagine The Joker from Batman: Arkham Knight trading in his purple suit for a snazzy blazer, and his menacing cackle for a stand-up comedy routine that would leave audiences in stitches. The Joker, the stand-up comedian, now there's a punchline we'd pay to see!
Come on, Joker, put down the clown makeup and pick up the pen. It's time for him to unleash his wit for good, to make the world laugh instead of cower in fear. Gotham City could use a good laugh, and who better to deliver it than the one and only Joker? After all, they say laughter is the best medicine, and with him on the stage, we'd all be cured of our gloomy woes in no time.
3 Shao Kahn - Mortal Kombat
Shao Kahn, the ruthless emperor of Outworld from Mortal Kombat, has a knack for dominating and conquering realms. But imagine if he had chosen a path of justice and fairness instead. He could have used his leadership skills to mentor the next generation of rulers, fostering peace and understanding among the realms.
Oh, what a missed opportunity for Shao Kahn to be the ruler the world desperately needed. But until he has a change of heart, we'll just have to deal with him cracking skulls instead of cracking the code for lasting peace. It's time for Shao Kahn to put down the hammer and pick up the olive branch. A realm united is far more powerful than a realm conquered.
2 Redd - Animal Crossing
If only had Redd from the Animal Crossing series embraced a more wholesome life path, he could have been the town's art aficionado instead of the town's shady art forger. Forging art is no child's play; it takes real skills and knowledge. He could have easily put those talents to use in organizing fabulous art workshops and educating the villagers about the great masters of painting.
Oh, the potential for Redd to be the town's art connoisseur is practically dripping from his whiskers. But until he decides to go legit, we'll just have to settle for his shady dealings and hope that one day, he'll realize that genuine connections and fostering creativity are far more rewarding than any counterfeit scheme. Come on, Redd, it's time to put down the forger's brush and pick up the palette of positivity.
1 Reaper - Overwatch
Instead of embracing his inner emo and becoming a ruthless mercenary, Reaper could have taken a cue from those self-help books and embarked on a journey of redemption. Maybe he could have joined a therapy group for misunderstood villains, or at least invested in a journal to write down his feelings.
Sadly, he seems more interested in letting his anger consume him like a buffet at an all-you-can-eat villain convention. What a shame because Reaper has the potential to be a force for good. Reuniting with his former Overwatch colleagues, he could have been the dark and mysterious hero we never knew we needed.